The Detroit Red Wings scored four unanswered goals to defeat the Islanders 4-3 in overtime Tuesday night at the Nassau Coliseum.

The Islanders took a 3-0 lead into the third period, but three third-period goals by the Red Wings, including two while on the power play, sent the game into sudden-death overtime. There, Henrik Zetterberg completed the comeback off a perfect feed from Nicklas Lidstrom.

Just 22 seconds into the tilt the Andy Hilbert-Mike Sillinger-Trent Hunter line got things going. Hunter threw the puck towards the net and Sillinger scored on his own rebound for his 16th goal of the season.

Shawn Bates made it 2-0 off a blast while shorthanded, 7:44 into the second period.

With 8:23 left in the second period, Jason Blake's slapshot slipped through Dominik Hasek's five-hole for his 26th goal of the season and a 3-0 lead.

The Red Wings got on the board when Niklas Kronwall's power play shot from the point was tipped in by Zetterberg with 3:24 gone by in the third period.

Dan Cleary cut the lead to 3-2 by re-directing home Lidstrom's cross-crease pass at 4:75 of the third period.

The Red Wings implausibly climbed all the way back to tie the game at three when Lidstrom's slapshot with 9:48 left in the period, while on the power play, found the back of the net after Tomas Holmstrom tipped it in front.

"They have a good power play," said head coach Ted Nolan. "The power plays were 7-2 in their favor and there are only so many ones you can kill before they capitalize on them."

Zetterberg had a wide open net to shoot after Lidstrom made an incredible play to knock the puck out of mid-air and send it across with 2:03 remaining in overtime.

"You have to be ready to play 60 minutes," said captain Alexei Yashin. "We played well for two periods, but we seemed to lose focus in the third period."

The Red Wings out-shot the Islanders 35-19 including 14-5 in the third period and overtime.

The Islanders next play on Thursday in Atlanta against Marian Hossa, Ilya Kovalchuk and the Thrashers. Game time is at 7 pm.

Five Stars of the Game:1. Nicklas Lidstrom: Three primary assists2. Henrik Zetterberg: Game-winning goal and an assist3. Mike Sillinger: Extended his goal-scoring streak to four games4. Niklas Kronwall: A power play goal and an assist5. Shawn Bates: Scored the Islanders' fifth shorthanded goal of the season

Stat of the Game: This is only the second time the Islanders have lost when leading after two periods.

Havoc Zone Fans of the Game: Will and Nick won the prize today for most dedicated Havoc Zone fans by lining up since 1:30 pm to get first dibs at the Havoc Zone vouchers. They're both from St. James and attend SUNY Stonybrook. Will is a big Blake fan, while Nick roots for DiPi. Will and Nick said they didn't do much to pass the time, but they did cheer on the Jr. Islanders when they entered the building.

Slapshots: Mike Sillinger was originally drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft...Tonight's attendance was 12,322...Bruno Gervais (ankle) and Tom Poti (upper body) were tonight's scratches...Shawn Bates scored his 12th shorthanded goal since joining the Islanders during the 2001-02 season.

Game Operations: The Junior Islanders, who will take part in the Quebec Pee Wee International tournament next month, stood alongside the players during the singing of the national anthem...The "Covanta Corner" made its first of three appearances throughout the season at tonight's game. Covanta, an energy company, donated 80 seats to the American Heart Association, who in turn gave the tickets to participants of the "Jump Rope for Heart" program, dedicated to curing heart disease.